President Donald Trump is publicly staying neutral in the simmering discussion about who might succeed him as the Republican Party’s standard-bearer in 2028. He’s refusing to choose between two of his top allies: Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Donald Trump addresses JD Vance and Marco Rubio debate
When directly asked about the burgeoning JD Vance and Marco Rubio rivalry for the 2028 nomination, Donald Trump offered commendation but no commitment. He confirmed he would eventually be inclined to endorse a successor but explicitly stated, “We have three years to go. I don’t want to, you know, I have two people that are doing a great job.”
Trump lavished both with praise, saying, “look, JD is fantastic, and Marco is fantastic.” He further spoke of their intellect while also noting a stylistic difference. In a possible nod to Rubio’s current role, Trump observed, “I would say one is slightly more diplomatic than the other.”
While avoiding a direct endorsement, Trump repeatedly floated the idea of Vance and Rubio running together. He has often suggested they should join forces, and he reiterated that belief in his latest comments. “The combination of JD and Marco would be very hard to be beaten, I think,” Trump quipped. “But you never know in politics, right? (via Reuters).”
This comment fuels existing speculation about the future of the GOP ticket. Vance, the former Ohio Senator and author, has indicated he will discuss a potential run with Trump after the November elections. Rubio, the former Senator and 2016 presidential candidate, has not ruled out a 2028 bid and has himself praised Vance as a strong potential candidate.
Furthermore, Trump again toyed with the unconventional idea of seeking a third term, which is barred by the Constitution. When asked if he saw any scenario where he would still be president in January 2029, he replied, “I don’t know. It would be interesting.”
For now, the president’s refusal to take sides leaves the JD Vance and Marco Rubio debate open within the party.
